BY Joy Benyamin & Jared Lackman-Mincoff
Joe Cusumano, 33, was in Montreal from New York for the NHL draft in 2022 when he decided to check out the city’s iconic Montreal Casino.
“If there’s a casino in the city, we’re going to it,” he says.
Although gambling wasn’t the main reason for his trip, Cusumano’s experience reflects the increasing presence of casinos in Montreal’s tourism industry. The casino’s proximity to other major attractions such as La Ronde and the Old Port was a major draw.
“It’d be great to wake up, go downstairs, and gamble rather than getting in an Uber or taxi,” he says. His visit underscores the trend of integrated entertainment experiences for tourists. That’s something that Loto-Québec, the province’s gambling corporation, is eager to capitalize on with a new 200-room hotel at the Montreal Casino.
The hotel aims to attract more visitors like Cusumano and tap into the expanding gambling tourism market.
A visitor walks through a row of slot machines at the Montreal casino. Photo by Joy Benyamin.
Loto-Québec President and CEO Jean-François Bergeron says the new on-site hotel aligns with major gaming destinations worldwide and will enhance the entertainment experience for both local and international visitors.
Located on Ile Notre-Dame, the casino already attracts more than seven million visitors a year. It’s one of Canada’s largest gambling facilities with over 3,200 slot machines and 115 gaming tables. The addition of the hotel will transform the casino into a comprehensive entertainment complex.
This development is a cornerstone of Loto Quebec’s strategy to boost Montreal’s status as a premier gambling destination. The decision is influenced by trends seen in other major gambling destinations like Las Vegas and Macau. These cities have demonstrated that hotels integrated with gaming establishments encourage longer stays by visitors.
Loto-Québec may be looking to expand the Casino because some of its other operations have declined in recent years. That includes revenue from thousands of video lottery terminals (VLTs) across the province
Video lottery terminal revenues saw a slight decrease in Quebec in 2024. Video by Jared Lackman-Mincoff.
Moshe Lander, a senior economist specializing in gaming and gambling, sees substantial economic benefits tied to the Casino hotel.
“Casinos are entertainment hubs that bring in tourists who then spend money on hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses,” he says. “The ripple effect of that is enormous.”
Lander points out that integrated resorts tend to attract longer stays, higher spending, and repeated visits, all of which help boost the local economy.
In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Loto-Quebéc generated over $3 billion, with $1.508 billion handed over to the Government of Québec.
Loto-Québec’s revenue from 2015 to 2024, showing a sharp decline in 2020-2021 due to the pandemic, followed by a steady recovery. Infographic by Joy Benyamin.
While gambling may make money for the province, it also creates problems.
Jeffrey Derevensky, Chair and Director of the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems at McGill University, warns that increased accessibility to gambling can exacerbate social issues, including gambling addiction.
However, he believes that the hotel itself won’t have a significant impact on younger audiences.
“I don’t think it’ll have any impact on youth gambling,” Derevensky says. “Young people aren’t typically interested in gambling at casinos. Even in places with a high concentration of casinos, young people are more interested in activities like hanging out by the pool, going to discos, or enjoying the bars rather than gambling.
A visitor tries her luck at a slot machine inside the Montreal Casino, surrounded by flashing lights and jackpot hopes. Photo by Joy Benyamin.
The casino-hotel complex could add a new layer to Montreal’s tourism offerings, which already include major events like the Formula-1 Grand Prix and the Montreal Jazz Festival.
However, Lander notes that the casino and hotel will likely complement the city’s other attractions rather than drawing tourists solely for gambling.
“It will definitely serve as an added attraction for people already visiting the city,” he says.
Jean Lagueux, a tourism expert, believes Montreal’s new casino hotel could give the city a competitive edge in the international tourism market.
“Tourists want more than just a casino experience,” Lagueux says. “They want a multifaceted vacation with gambling, cultural activities, dining, and other amenities.”
Lagueux suggests that Montreal’s more relaxed atmosphere could appeal to a different type of gambling tourist.
The 200-room hotel marks a significant step in Montreal’s push into gambling tourism. However, Lander remains cautious about its long-term impact.
“Montreal’s tourism industry is already quite diverse, and unless this development is part of a broader strategy, its economic footprint will be limited,” he says. “If Montreal wants to become a major player in the global gambling tourism market, it needs to develop a more ambitious vision, similar to cities like Las Vegas, blending large-scale developments with entertainment and a well-developed workforce.”
A player sits in the glow of slot machines at the Montreal Casino, chasing the chance of a big win. Photo by Joy Benyamin.
However, Montreal already has advantages it can exploit.
For instance, Cusumano says that even though he might prefer the party atmosphere of Vegas, he acknowledges Montreal’s charm and sees the casino as an exciting part of the city’s broader offerings.
“It is a clean, fun city, and the casino can add to that appeal,” he says.
The Montreal Casino stands unchanged as construction on the planned hotel has yet to begin. Photo by Joy Benyamin.
Construction will begin once all plans receive final approval, with the hotel expected to welcome its first guests between 2026 or 2027.
